Does Dwight get betrayed in Tulsa King? Storyline and twists, explored

Tulsa King is Sylvester Stallone’s thrilling leap into the mafia world. But, unlike the usual New York mob dramas, Tulsa King drops us smack dab in the heartland of America.

Here, Stallone stars as Dwight “The General” Manfredi. He is a 75-year-old mobster freshly out of prison after a 25-year stint. He didn’t commit the crime but took the fall, a testament to his loyalty. But did his loyalty get rewarded?

Well, the answer, in short, is no. Instead, his bosses exiled him to Tulsa, Oklahoma. And Dwight, being Dwight, takes on the challenge. He is determined to build a mob empire there.

With his ragtag crew, he gets into selling nitrous oxide and reconnects with his estranged daughter, Tina. Just when it looks like things are on track, we’re hit with a shocking disloyalty from the last person we’d expect. In a surprising turn of events, Dwight is betrayed by his close aide, Stacey Beale.

Read on to know more.

Tulsa King: Who betrayed Dwight and why?

In Tulsa King, Dwight builds an unusual bond with Stacey Beale. She is an FBI agent with a rough-around-the-edges persona and a fondness for a strong drink. They start as lovers, then drift into something resembling friendship. However, they are both on opposite sides of the law.

Stacey’s complex relationship with Dwight is both heartwarming and a bit of a puzzle. After all, who expects an FBI agent to team up with a mobster? Yet, things start to crack. Dwight hands Stacey a flash drive loaded with $1 million.

He got this money from his latest rival, Caolan Waltrip. He is the leader of the Black Macadams. He gives it to her as a way of saying “thank you” for her help.

But Stacey sees the money as an escape from a career that could be on the line for associating with Dwight. The ATF gives her an offer she can’t refuse. The offer is immunity and a chance to stay with the agency if she flips on Dwight.

So, Stacey makes a heartbreaking choice. She hands the evidence to the ATF, and Dwight is arrested at the grand opening of his bar. It’s a move that flips everything on its head.

Stacey’s tough call in Tulsa King

Stacey’s betrayal of Dwight in Tulsa King isn’t black and white. She didn’t turn on him out of spite or hatred. Instead, it was a desperate act of self-preservation. Throughout the season, Stacey and Dwight’s bond only deepened. They genuinely seemed to care for each other. But her career was hanging by a thread.

Dwight’s unconventional gift might have been a well-intentioned gesture. But for Stacey, it felt like a ticking time bomb. It was a risky connection she couldn’t afford. The ATF dangled the carrot, and she ended up betraying her friend to save herself.

Therefore, Dwight’s arrest wasn’t a calculated play for Stacey. It was survival.

What this means for Dwight and his family

Stacey’s betrayal wasn’t just a legal setback for Dwight. It was a blow to his heart.

This happened when he was making strides in his relationship with his daughter, Tina, and reconnecting with his family, and everything fell apart. Tina had finally started to let her father back into her life.

Dwight’s arrest could jeopardize all that hard-earned trust. It was a huge cliffhanger. Dwight’s future with his family and empire was all in balance.

The arrest wasn’t just about betrayal. It was also a wake-up call. For all his scheming and street smarts, Dwight overlooked the possibility of being sold out by someone he trusted. Maybe he thought Stacey would look out for him as he did for her. But in the end, her choice drove a deep wedge between them.

The courtroom twist in Tulsa King Season 2

Tulsa King Season 2 gets straight into the fallout of Dwight’s arrest. But Dwight manages to walk out of that courtroom, not guilty of bribery. How did he do it?

Well, Dwight argued that he never asked Stacey for anything in return when he handed her the money. He made it clear that the cash was simply a gesture. It was not a bribe to secure favors or protection.

The court bought it. Dwight was acquitted on the grounds that there was no true coercion involved. He didn’t bribe Stacey; he just misjudged her.

Dwight’s return to his empire-building after a courtroom victory will surely bring more enemies. There might also be some unexpected allies. So, the General might have been betrayed, but he’s not backing down.

Also read: Is Sylvester Stallone's real daughter in Tulsa King? Exploring her character and storyline on the Paramount+ show